Theological comment is variable: it may err, it may develop. Herein lie most of the disputes of technical, and the advances of popular, theology 250-255 Even the creeds are human on the side of their language 255-258 IV. The 'damnatory clauses,' though easily misunderstood, really mean what is both true, and necessary 258-260 Christian dogmatism is after all devotion to truth, for truth's sake 260-261 V. The modern reading of the Scriptures without miracle and the Christ without Godhead depends for its justification upon the truth of an hypothesis 262-266 But this hypothesis explains away, instead of explaining, the evidence; while it is itself incapable of proof 266-270 Historical reality is essential to the truth of the Incarnation. Mere spiritualism ends in unreality 270-272 VII. THE ATONEMENT. I. Sin and sacrifice in relation to the Atonement 275-276 1. Twofold character of sin:-- (_a_) A state of alienation from God 276-277 (_b_) A state of guilt 277-279 2. Twofold character of sacrifice:-- (_a_) The expression of man's original relation to God 279-280 (_b_) The expiation of sin, and propitiation of wrath 280-281 Both aspects shewn in the ceremonies of the Mosaic Law 281-282 3. Inadequacy of man's offerings to satisfy sense of personal guilt 282-285 II. The death of Christ answers to the demands of the sense of sin and of the desire for forgiveness 285 1. Christ's death a sacrifice of propitiation:-- (_a_) Of the wrath of God, which is-- (1) The hostility of Divine Nature to sin 285-287 (2) The expression of the eternal law of righteousness 288 (_b_) By virtue-- (1) Of the obedience manifested by Him 289-290 (2) Of His recognition of the Divine justice 290 (3) Of His death as the necessary form of both 290-292 The propitiatory character of His death shewn-- (i.) By the general relation between physical and spiritual death 292-293 (ii.) Because of the nature of Him who endured it 293-294 (iii.) Because of the results flowing from it 294 (_c_) On behalf of men, for He is our Representative--